A BRITISH soldier died after being brutally shot in the chest by a rogue member of the Afghan army while playing in a Remembrance Day football match, an inquest heard.

Captain Walter Barrie, pictured with his son Callum, was callously killed last Remembrance Day

Captain Walter Barrie, from Glasgow, was playing a match with members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and another British soldier at his army base on November 11 when he was targeted by the renegade Afghan soldier.

The gunman, labelled as "S" during the hearing, fired nine erratic shots at Captain Barrie at close range using an M16 rifle.

Capt Barrie was killed almost instantly by a gunshot wound to the chest.

The inquest heard that a smoke grenade was then thrown onto the pitch to conceal Capt Barrie's body from his killer, and to allow medics to reach him.

"S", who was wearing a full ANA uniform during the attack, then moved towards a welfare tent for other British troops to continue shooting. He was subdued after being shot in the thigh, head and shoulders by International Security Assistance Force soldiers.

When reached by Private Ryan Houston, the gunman was still alive.

"I could see he was injured," Private Houston told the court. "He was alive, he was making gasping sounds."

The gunman is understood to be Mohammed Ashraf, whose brother was responsible for an attack on Spanish forces in Afghanistan just days earlier.

The inquest heard that relations with ANA soldiers on the base were "generally very good", and the British troops would play football with them on a daily basis.

Captain Barrie's wife Sonia called her husband "a doting father" to their son Callum

Recording his verdict, Oxford coroner Darren Salter told the inquest that Capt Barrie was unlawfully killed while on active service.

"It does appear the individual acted alone and there has been no evidence linked to insurgents or the Taliban," Salter said.

He also commented on speculation that the callous murder was linked to an earlier insider attack, saying: "It may be Mohammad Ashraf was concerned and motivated by that, although we'll never know for sure."

Salter added that Barrie was "held in a high degree" by the Afghan troops he mentored.

Capt Barrie served with The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), based at Glencourse Barracks in Penicuik, Midlothian.

During 25 years of service, the 41-year-old had toured Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.

It does appear the individual acted alone and there has been no evidence linked to insurgents or the Taliban

Oxford coroner Darren Salter

He had been mentoring and advising a brigade of the ANA to take over security in an area of Afghanistan at the time of his death.

He leaves behind his grieving wife Sonia and his 15-year-old son Callum.

Speaking shortly after his tragic death, Sonia called her husband "a doting and amazing father and a fantastic husband".

His Army colleagues called Barrie "a soldier's soldier" and "a brilliant bloke" at his funeral service on November 29 2012, with the Ministry of Defence praising his compassionate nature.

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Archibald called Captain Barrie "universally popular", adding: "Walter's cutting, self-deprecating wit, easy-going manner and endearing personality will never be forgotten by all those who had the privilege and pleasure to have met and worked with him."